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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 120 Years (Adult, Senior)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed diagnosis of cancer

Currently receiving chemotherapy* containing any chemotherapeutic agent at any dose and experiencing nausea and/or vomiting of any severity (delayed or acute)

Chemotherapy regimens may be given orally, IV, or by continuous infusion (single day regimens only)

Must have received at least 1 prior chemotherapy* course containing any chemotherapeutic agent and meets the following criteria:

Agent is the same that is scheduled for the next round of chemotherapy

Experienced nausea and/or vomiting of any severity (delayed or acute)

Must be planning to receive a concurrent 5-HT_3 receptor antagonist antiemetic (e.g., ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron mesylate, or palanosetron) or antiemetic aprepritant (e.g., Emend®) while on chemotherapy

No symptomatic brain metastases NOTE: *Chemotherapy may be adjuvant, neoadjuvant, curative, or palliative

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

18 and over

Performance status

Not specified

Life expectancy

Not specified

Hematopoietic

No history of bleeding disorder

No thrombocytopenia

Hepatic

Not specified

Renal

Not specified

Gastrointestinal

Able to swallow capsules

No gastric ulcer

No clinical evidence of current or impending bowel obstruction

Other

Not pregnant or nursing

Negative pregnancy test

Fertile patients must use effective contraception

Able to understand English

Able to complete study questionnaires

No allergy to ginger

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

Not specified

Chemotherapy

See Disease Characteristics

No prior chemotherapy regimens with multiple day doses

Endocrine therapy

Not specified

Radiotherapy

No concurrent radiotherapy that is classified as high or intermediate risk of causing vomiting, including radiotherapy to any of the following areas:

Total body irradiation

Hemi-body

Upper abdomen

Abdominal-pelvic mantle

Cranium (radiosurgery)

Craniospinal radiotherapy

Surgery

Not specified

Other

More than 1 week since prior ginger (teas, capsules, tinctures)

No other concurrent ginger (teas, capsules, tinctures)

Concurrent foods made with small amounts (no more than ¼ teaspoon) of ginger (powdered or fresh) allowed